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ABB opens its Mexico Technology and Engineering Center to increase project delivery across North America
ABB has established a new regional operations center for North America, bringing technology expertise closer to customers and building on its similar resources globally. An initial $1 million investment has been made for the new Mexico Technology and Engineering Center (MXTEC) in the city of Merida, Yucatan, to help the technology leader to reach higher project delivery capacity and increase competitiveness.
EU waste shipment proposals neither fair nor reasonable
Prices in Europe and the USA were quite stable during the latter months of 2022, staying at very low levels after declines in the previous quarter for OCC and deinking grades; very subdued demand for finished products seems to have been the reason behind this. Stock levels are quite high at most paper mills owing to low consumption whereas stocks in recyclers’ yards are perhaps lower as a result of reduced collection volumes. However, our main problem is the weak demand for recovered paper.
(by Francisco Donoso, DOLAF Servicios Verdes (Spain), President of the BIR Paper Division)
Mondi expands range of FunctionalBarrier Papers with high barrier packaging solution
Mondi is expanding its range of medium, high and very high barrier paper-based packaging to support customers on their journey to use more sustainable packaging solutions. Thanks to Mondi’s extensive research and development activities, expertise in both paper and plastic as well as investments in new technology and increased capacity, the company has further evolved its portfolio and now offers a full range of FunctionalBarrier Papers to customers. By applying different barrier technologies, such as extrusion coatings, aqueous coatings and other very high barriers, this range of paper-based packaging solutions is fit for purpose and can be used for a variety of applications.
OnQuality successfully commissioned at customers Smurfit Kappa, WEPA and Johns Manville
Quality control systems are an important factor in paper production to continuously optimize production and quality processes. Thanks to their compact design, flexible use and high reliability, Voith's OnQuality quality control systems (QCS) have already been used in over 750 installations worldwide on existing and new lines. The system can be used for all paper grades as well as for nonwovens.
Valmet to supply another paper machine rebuild to Sappi North America’s Somerset facility
Valmet will supply an extensive rebuild for Sappi’s Somerset paper manufacturing facility in Skowhegan, Maine, USA. Previously, Valmet rebuilt the paper machine 1 (PM1) and with its success, Sappi has chosen Valmet again to rebuild the paper machine 2 (PM2). The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the fourth quarter 2022. Its value will not be disclosed, but such an order is typically worth between EUR 90 and 120 million.
ABB launches newest generation of L&W Bending Tester
ABB has enhanced its L&W Bending Tester with new features to deliver easier and more reliable operator-independent bending resistance and stiffness measurements. The L&W Bending Tester, which measures resistance to bending in paper and packaging, is a standalone benchtop instrument featuring a large touchscreen with user-friendly interface and improved post-processing for ease-of-use and instrument check and calibration. Integration with other ABB offerings, such as L&W Lab Management System (LMS), also means connectivity to the full Quality Data Management module within the larger Manufacturing Execution System (MES), enabling greater visibility of quality data across the mill and enterprise.
Innovation to add new value for $425 billion fibre-based packaging market through to 2027
The sustainability agenda means corrugated board, folding cartons, moulded pulp, flexible and speciality papers, are all receiving new interest from packaging buyers. Worth a total of $425.4 billion in 2022, each of these have their own established places in the world market, but the need to implement more sustainable packaging strategies is pushing innovation and opening new higher-value applications.
Joining forces: Optimized stock preparation portfolio from Voith and Toscotec for tissue production
For more than two years now, the Italian company Toscotec has been a subsidiary of Voith and since then has been serving the business with new lines and major rebuilds in the tissue paper sector for the entire Voith Group. As a result, intensive cooperation began, which among other things resulted in an optimized BlueLine stock preparation portfolio for the tissue production. The optimized portfolio is convincing, with more than 10 stock preparation systems for the tissue sector ordered worldwide in the last two years and with some already in operation. Voith has delivered over 70 machines, and many more are currently being processed.
Mondi supports Noel Alimentaria to reduce plastic in fresh food packaging
Mondi has partnered with Noel Alimentaria, supporting them and their choice of a paper-based solution for food products that greatly reduces the use of plastic. Mondi worked closely with Noel Alimentaria to identify the best possible packaging solution for their range of plant-based and meat food. The collaboration resulted in Noel Alimentaria choosing Mondi’s PerFORMing paper-based tray to pack its rebranded range of sliced plant-based food and vegetarian burgers ‘Verday’. Verday is used by Marks and Spencer’s for its ‘Plant Kitchen’ range in the UK and supplied to Nordic markets for ham and charcuterie products.
Ib Jensen takes over from Jan Secher as new CEO of Perstorp Group
Effective March 1st, Ib Jensen takes over from Jan Secher as Chief Executive Officer of Perstorp Group, a specialty chemicals company headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, and since 2022 part of Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG). Ib Jensen is a highly respected senior industry executive with a long career as CFO and extensive experience from M&A and integration of acquired companies, something that will be required in the next phase for Perstorp.
Valmet to rebuild cooking, fiberline and evaporation plant for Andhra Paper
Valmet has been selected to rebuild the cooking, fiberline and evaporation plant of Andhra Paper’s Rajahmundry unit in India. The delivery is scheduled to take place in December 2023, and the start-up is planned for the first quarter 2024. The order is included in Valmet’s order received of the fourth quarter 2022. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
Liquid Wind selects AFRY as engineering partner for second electrofuel facility in Sweden
The Swedish electrofuel developer Liquid Wind has selected AFRY to provide basic engineering for the balance of plant for its second electrofuel facility in Sweden – FlagshipTwo in Sundsvall. Liquid Wind’s ambition, together with Sundsvall Energi, is to develop a 100,000-ton electrofuel facility.
